Many still without electricity

Thursday

Dec 27, 2012 at 10:09 AMDec 27, 2012 at 10:17 AM

By Ami RidlingDaily News Staff Writer

SISKIYOU COUNTY – Many area residents spent their Christmas in the dark while Pacific Power crews were out in full force restoring electrical service to customers in the Seiad Valley, Mount Shasta and Yreka areas ­– many of whom have been without power since last week.

Approximately 104 Siskiyou County customers are currently without service, said Jan Mitchell, Pacific Power spokesperson. That is down from around 1,026 when outages began last Thursday as a result of heavy, wet snowfall and falling trees. Pacific Power personnel originally anticipated that all service would be restored by today. However, Mitchell stated that crews are now expecting for customers’ electricity to be restored by late Friday.

“Happy Camp was particularly hard hit,” said Mitchell. She explained that many customers in Seiad Valley who are currently without service live in remote areas where access to the utilities is difficult for crews. Many crews have to hike to customers’ power lines because of heavy snow and road closures.

“This is frustrating for our customers and it is hard for our crews. But they are out there in full force to restore power,” said Mitchell.

The Happy Camp Family Resource Center worked with the Karuk Tribe to establish a warming shelter at the Karuk Senior Nutrition Site, said Karen Derry, resource center director.

The warming shelter opened on Sunday morning, and hot meals as well as cots are being provided to those affected by the outages, said Derry.

She noted the shelter has been bustling with families as well as Pacific Power crews who have come in to seek shelter from the cold and get hot meals.

While Mitchell said crews anticipate restoring power by late Friday, she urges customers to take a look at their weatherheads and meter bases on the sides of their homes or businesses. If the equipment appears to be damaged, customers must call a licensed electrician to repair the damage before Pacific Power can restore service.

Southern Oregon customers are also experiencing widespread power outages. The communities of Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Selma, Merlin and Wilderville were impacted the most by the outages. Approximately 149 customers are currently without power, down from 15,000 last week at the peak of the outage.

Those with questions about the warming shelter in Happy Camp may contact the Happy Camp Family Resource Center at 493-5117.